Man United title-winner is handed his first teaching function as assistant to Blackburn’s new job-sharing supervisor
He’s seen Michael Carrick excelling back at Manchester United – and now old team-mate Phil Jones is following him into coaching work.
Jones, 33, has been appointed as an assistant to Michael O’Neill at Blackburn Rovers, alongside former Southampton and Rangers midfielder Steven Davis.
O’Neill, the Northern Ireland manager, has returned to the Championship on a job-share agreement until the end of the season which sees him continue to work in international football including in the World Cup play-offs against Italy next month.
Northern Ireland claim the move to allow O’Neill to job share is ‘progressive’ and won’t impact the country’s World Cup qualification bid.
This marks Jones’s first role in senior football since he retired in August 2024, citing his long history of injury problems. He has since worked as a coach for United’s Under 14 and Under 18 teams.
Phil Jones (right) is moving into coaching work – just like his old pal Michael Carrick (centre)
He has completed his UEFA A Licence coaching badge and is working towards his UEFA Pro Licence. In September of last year he said: ‘I’m ready for a challenge and I’m eager, just like I was as a player.
‘I’m ambitious, and I want to be ambitious as a coach. I feel like I’m ready for that challenge.’
O’Neill and his newly-assembled backroom team are tasked with saving Blackburn from relegation from the Championship. Rovers sit 22nd, inside the relegation zone on goal difference, and sacked previous boss Valerien Ismael earlier this month.
‘I am grateful to the Irish FA for their support and cooperation in allowing me to take this opportunity,’ O’Neill said.
‘Blackburn Rovers is a historic Premier League-winning club with a proud tradition, and the chance to work at a club of that stature is one I felt was important to embrace.
‘The immediate focus is clear – there is a challenge ahead in the final stretch of the season and the objective is to help the team build momentum and climb the Championship table.’
Michael O’Neill, pictured on Thursday, will manage Blackburn Rovers and Northern Ireland
‘Michael remaining active on the grass during this period can only enhance the level of our preparation for the play-off,’ said Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson.
‘We are assured that, following four months of preparation, everything remains on track, and our focus is firmly on ensuring the squad is ready between now and kick-off in Bergamo. Michael will be using his downtime productively by being in and amongst the cut and thrust of elite-level football.
‘With a World Cup play-off on the horizon, we are confident this experience will only strengthen his preparedness ahead of such a key fixture.’
Blackburn face a trip to Queens Park Rangers in the Championship on Saturday.
